At this time, the Linhnan server was still bustling with activity. The forum’s heat had even surpassed the frenzy back when Yae-hime was wanted nationwide. Taurus stared at the hotly discussed topics, regret gnawing at his heart.

If he had known that crown was an Artifact, he would never have allowed his men to post that bounty, not even if his life depended on it. It was precisely because of that post that people began to associate everything with S.K.Y.

Soon after, they pieced together scattered fragments of information around him. Finally, they reached the conclusion that S.K.Y. was the Artifact holder.

Although many still voiced doubts about this conclusion, Taurus knew very well that they were not mistaken in the slightest.

“I should never have done it, never!” Standing alone outside the Adventurer’s Guild, he cursed bitterly. In a fit of anger, he had foolishly cast away such vital information. Utterly stupid! Now, it was impossible to undo the damage.

“No, I must find S.K.Y. as quickly as possible and make him hand over that thing!” With that, Taurus exited the forum and clicked the logout button on the game interface. He intended to search for S.K.Y. in reality.

“That crown, I must have it!” Bathed in a flash of white light, Taurus muttered with feverish intensity. Having personally experienced the terrifying power of the Abyss Crown, he felt both dread and yearning.

Meanwhile, countless lurkers were busy gathering intel on the crown and S.K.Y. In a way, S.K.Y. had overtaken Taurus in one swift curve. After all, in terms of global recognition, he now stood many ranks above him.

At the very least, many influential figures from powerful factions had already gained some awareness of S.K.Y. As the holder of the third Artifact, even if he wished to stay low-key, it was impossible.

* **Outside the game, in Yanjing, Cathay.**

Some great families were already planning to either recruit S.K.Y. or crush him. Unfortunately, those families soon received news that S.K.Y. had gone missing.

At the Long family1 estate.

Jiajun had just logged off, preparing to take a shower, when the butler stopped him.

“Young Master Jun, the Master has summoned you.” The middle-aged butler looked rugged and masculine, far more manly than the effeminate Jiajun before him.

“What’s with the old man lately, staying home all the time?” With an androgynous face shaped by surgery, Jiajun grumbled unhappily.

“Young Master, the Master seems to have urgent business. You should go quickly,” the butler urged.

“Ugh, such a bother.” Complaints aside, Jiajun still obediently took his steps forward.

Within the main hall, the Long family’s elites assembled in silence, the atmosphere heavy and solemn. At the center sat a middle-aged man of imposing presence, dressed in a Tang-style robe.

**Tap, tap, tap.**

Footsteps approached from a short distance away. Moments later, Jiajun entered the hall. “Old man, what’s so urgent that you’re holding a meeting this late?” he asked casually.

Before the Long family head could respond, Jiajun added, “By the way, Father, couldn’t you just send two grandmasters to capture that Princess for me?”

The moment he spoke, everyone’s faces shifted dramatically. They looked at Jiajun as though he were a complete fool! At a time like this, how could he still be thinking of chasing after Princess? Was he tired of living?!

“Fool!” the Long family head—Xavier—roared furiously. He had gathered everyone here precisely to discuss matters regarding Princess. But clearly, what Jiajun meant was something else entirely.

“Do you even know how exalted her identity is?!” Before Jiajun could react, another shout from Xavier sent his knees weak, nearly stopping his heart. He vaguely realized he had just stepped on a landmine. Otherwise, his father, who had always doted on him, would never have scolded him in public.

“Be grateful you weren’t stupid enough to actually offend her directly, or you’d already be dead!” Xavier slammed the armrest, his voice filled with frustration.

“Father, what do you mean by that?” Jiajun’s face was written with confusion.

“That one—yes, the Princess you mentioned, Yae-hime—is a prodigy from the Kun Ruins. Her strength rivals that of an Advanced Grandmaster!” Xavier spoke with a grave expression.

He had already scolded his son enough. Now it was time to get down to business.

“What?!” Jiajun was utterly dumbfounded when he heard this. He could never have imagined that the Princess who had suddenly appeared was actually from the mysterious Kun Ruins. If his own father hadn’t said it, he would never have believed it.

“Last time, when you had people from the Ability Management Department capture her, it must have left her very displeased. The reason I gathered everyone here today is to discuss how we should make amends.” Xavier calmed his tone and spoke evenly.

“Make amends? Our Long family actually has to apologize to that woman?” Jiajun muttered in dissatisfaction.

“If we don’t, do you want the Long family to bring calamity upon itself?” Xavier’s face instantly darkened.

“I—I didn’t mean it like that…” Seeing his father’s expression, Jiajun immediately panicked. He knew very well that his father was truly angry this time. If he kept speaking out of turn, he would definitely be beaten. And beaten severely at that!

“Does anyone have suggestions?” Xavier shook his head, then looked to the others present.

“I think it would be best if Jiajun personally went and offered his apologies,” said a middle-aged man with a goatee.

“Fourth Uncle, are you trying to get me killed?!” Jiajun blurted out in alarm. Now that he knew Yae-hime’s strength rivaled an Advanced Grandmaster, how could he dare go to Roc City? Wouldn’t that be pure suicide?2

“Jiajun, enough of your insolence!” At that moment, Xavier wanted nothing more than to kick his son out of the hall.

“Jiajun, that attitude of yours won’t do.”

“That’s right, that’s right. How can you talk to your elders like that?”

“Completely disrespectful.”

Voices of criticism rose in succession, making Jiajun increasingly irritated. Just as he was about to explode, he caught sight of his father’s icy gaze. Helpless, he could only lower his head and apologize.

“Back to the matter at hand. Does anyone else have suggestions?” Xavier seated Jiajun off to the side and turned back to the group.

“Chairman, I heard the Ye family already reached a private settlement with her,” spoke a middle-aged woman in ornate robes.

“Oh? Is that true?” Xavier quickly asked. If a private settlement was possible, that would be ideal. If he really sent his son to apologize in person, the chances of survival would be slim.

“Yes. I heard Donald paid five hundred million to settle the matter with her,” the woman said.

Hearing this, Xavier’s eyes widened slightly. That amount wasn’t much to him. But to settle something like this with just five hundred million? Was that really possible? Could that Princess really be so easy to deal with?

“Is that true?” Jiajun also found it hard to believe.

“The credibility is high,” the woman said as she straightened her posture. “The Tian family’s adopted daughter recently received a transfer of five hundred million. That girl has a very close relationship with her. Most likely, the Ye family asked her to pass it along. We might as well ask the girl directly. If it’s true, then we should also spend some money to ward off disaster.”

“It’s worth a try.” Xavier nodded. “I’ll personally call the Tian family.”

* **Half an hour later.**

Within the City of Chaos, the silence in Yae-hime’s room was suddenly broken by the sound of a ringing phone. “So late… who could it be?” Opening her eyes, Yae-hime slowly sat up, her gaze falling on the phone by her bedside.

She picked it up and glanced at the caller ID. It was Mylene. She swiped the screen, and immediately her little sister’s slightly excited voice came through, “Sis, we’ve struck it rich!”